Melbourne Cup: Bart Cummings still the king despite no runner in 2013 after Precedence misses out

By Cameron LeslieUpdated
Mon 4 Nov 2013, 6:29 PM AEDT

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Bart Cummings remains the Cup King despite missing out on a starter for this year's race.

AAP: Julian Smith

It just will not be the same without Bart Cummings.

Master trainer Bart Cummings and the Melbourne Cup appear to go hand-in-hand. But not in 2013.

For the first time since 2006, the Cups King will not have a runner lining up in the race that stops the nation.

No other trainer has come close to Bart's record of 12 Cup victories with the next best being Lee Freedman and Etienne de Mestre with five winners apiece.

Bart, who now trains in partnership with grandson James, appeared to be making a bid for a 13th Melbourne Cup when veteran galloper Precedence won the Moonee Valley Cup little more than a week ago.

A social media campaign started rallying public support to get Bart's horse into the race. But when final acceptances were announced on Saturday Precedence had missed out by just one place in the 24-horse field.

There are no emergencies or reserves in the Melbourne Cup so Precedence will remain horse number 25, and there will be no Cummings runner in 2013.

Time is against the 85-year-old Cups legend having another runner in the race in years to come so Grandstand has taken the opportunity to re-visit Bart's 12 Melbourne Cup wins.